On The Road To Tomorrow

As they say, it’s not the destination. It’s the journey.

I had hoped to map out a route and itinerary that was as loose as the comfort waistband on my cargo shorts. Open to backroads and extended stays. Spontaneous adventure! But over time, promises were made. Places set in stone. Reservations booked. And my free-wheelin’ roadtrip had suddenly become a tightly choreographed jig through the Eastern U.S.

Projected date of departure, Sunday, May 11, 2014. If I could keep my car out of the shop and my ass out of jail, I’d be back in Tampa by June 1st.

I started making a list. Day One: Tampa north to Hilton Head. Hilton Head to Charlotte. A few hours to Boone; maybe hang out there in the mountains awhile. Then one long day behind the wheel to the Akron/Cleveland Area to visit old friends Jack and Reva. From there, an easy three to four hours back “home” to Western New York. Then southeast to Ithaca, maybe Binghamton.

On my way to Boston, I could crash with my brother, Bob, and his kin in New Haven. Maybe leave my car there and train into the city for a day or two, hang with my buddy, John. Then train it back to New Haven and head north.

Spend some time re-tracing the life Pat and I shared in Boston. Have a night in Marblehead with Pat’s beloved aunt Marcia and uncle Steve. Do a drive-by in Andover. Then head back south.

This is where it would get fun. The route I sketched out was very cool. Probably the high point of the trip. Find the Red Bank hospital I was born in. The Rumson house we lived in. The Jersey beaches we played on. Then hop on the Cape May ferry to Lewes, Delaware. Take the amazing Chesapeake Bay bridge/tunnel/bridge/tunnel/bridge. From there, I’d be exploring all-new places for me. I was really looking forward to being out on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Hatteras, and then Okracoke.

I’d be bumping into Memorial Day weekend, but felt confident I’d find some place to stay once I got out there.

The Ocracoke Ferry lands at Cedar Island, a few hours from New Bern, NC, which is one of those “huh?” places you never hear about. Just based on its geography, it seemed worth getting to know. (It’s the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola!) From there, maybe Myrtle Beach. (I’ve never been there.) And a night in Charleston. (Haven’t spent much time there, either.) Maybe find a quaint BnB. Then make the run to Jacksonville. 301 to Ocala, then home.

That was my plan.

Buckle up and follow the links.